Millen hails Robins attitude

Bristol City manager Keith Millen praised his side's attitude as they fought back to hold Hull City to a 1-1 draw.

Last Updated: 24/09/11 7:08pm

Millen: Expects his side to be 'alright' this season after battling performance

Bristol City manager Keith Millen praised his side's attitude as they fought back to hold Hull City to a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate.

Brett Pitman came off the bench to score a 79th-minute equaliser after Robert Koren had given the Tigers the lead.

But Millen was delighted with his side's never-say-die attitude as they exerted long periods of pressure on the visitors.

For much of the match the hosts created plenty without finding the killer pass, as Marvin Elliot, Nicky Maynard, Albert Adomah and Jamal Campbell-Ryce all saw good chances go to waste.

Decisions

Millen defended his decision to take off strikers Jon Stead and Maynard for Pitman and Ryan Taylor on the hour mark, saying: "I'm paid to make tough decisions at times and, while some of the fans didn't like the substitutions, they helped us draw the game.

"We needed some fresh legs up front and the whole team showed a great attitude after falling behind.

"We could easily have folded after Hull scored and the fact that we stormed back convinces me we shall be alright this season.

"Brett's goal has lifted some pressure off us. After we scored you could see there was more belief in our attacking play.

"Now we have to take that into Tuesday's home game with Reading. There has been no doubting the effort of the players and now we have something to build on."

Furious

Meanwhile, Hull manager Nigel Pearson was unhappy with Pitman's goal, claiming midfielder Tom Cairney had been fouled in the build-up.

"My players are furious that we were not awarded a free kick and I can understand their frustration" he said.

"As a manager, all I am looking for is consistency from referees and their assistants. We didn't get that today and it cost us dear.

"We have defended brilliantly throughout the game, as has been the case in recent matches, and looked like holding on for another excellent victory.

"Instead, we are going home bitterly disappointed at not taking all three points, having scored a very good goal to get our noses in front."